Treating agent dispenser for automatic washing machine



R. J. FRENCH Feb. 11, 1969 TREATING AGENT DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 6, 1966 lNVENTOR.

I FRENCH H KS ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,426,944 Patented Feb. 11, 1969 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Dispensing means having a movable cup-like container to dispense granular treating agent and a piston-cylinder dispenser to dispense liquid treating agent. A crank interconnects the piston with the container whereby movement of the container from its dispensing position to a subsequent position trips the piston. Thus, sequential dispensing of granular and liquid treating agents is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to treating agent dispensing means and, more specifically, to such dispensing means particularly adapted for utilization in an automatic washing machine.

It is conventional to provide means to automatically dispense treating agents such as, for example, detergent, rinse aid, fabric softener and bleach, into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine. Obviously, the individual treating agents must be dispensed during specific, and different, phases of the washing machine cycle of operation. For example, in an automatic dishwasher, detergent must be dispensed at or near the beginning of the washing operation whereas rinse aid must be dispensed at or near the beginning of the final rinse operation. Because of the different times of required operation, heretofore, the detergent dispenser and the rinse aid dispenser have been maintained as separate entities, each with its own operating mechanism. Failure of efforts in the past to combine the dispensers was due, on the one hand, to the different times of required operation and, on the other hand, to the fact that dishwasher detergent is generally in granular form while rinse aid is generally in liquid form and a device to dispense a granular material does not lend itself to dispensing a liquid. However, the obvious economical advantages of combining the separate dispensers, coupled with the simplification of the mechanism to control the operation of the devices, make such combination desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a dispenser to sequentially dispense granular and liquid treating agents into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine and includes a container adapted to receive, contain and dispense a granular treating agent. Means are provided to move the container from a containing position to a dispensing position and subsequently to a third position. A reservoir is provided to receive and store a liquid treating agent and dispensing means are provided to dispense the liquid treating agent from the reservoir into the wash chamber. Means interconnect the dispensing means and the container to actuate the dispensing means upon movement of the container from the dispensing position to the third position. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, means are provided to control the movement of the container and comprise a movable latch means and a first arm rigidly secured to the container and adapted to eng-age the latch means to retain the container in its containing position. Drive means move the movable latch means to cause release of the first arm. A second arm is rigidly secured to the container and adapted to engage the latch means to retain the container in its dispensing position upon release of the first arm. The drive means to move the movable latch are further adapted to move the latch means to release the second arm whereby the container moves to its third position thus actuating the dispensing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a door for an automatic dishwasher having mounted thereon the dis penser of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing the dispenser in a different condition of operation; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURES 2 and 3 but showing the dispenser in yet another condition of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, there is illustrated the upper portion of a dishwasher door 10 which is designed to be pivotally secured to a dishwasher cabinet (not shown) for movement between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position. Such dishwasher doors are conventional and one of such doors is described in detail in US. Patent No. 3,125,249, issued Mar. 17, 1964 to Norman L. Kendt, and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. As will become evident as the description proceeds, it would be possible to mount the dispenser means of the subject invention other than on the pivotal door. Door 10 has an outer wall 11 and an inner wall 12 defining therebetween a chamber 13. Inner wall 12, which faces the wash chamber of the dishwasher when door 10 is in the closed position, has a portion 14 cooperating with an intermediate Wall 15 to form a second chamber 16. Walls 11, 12 and 15 may be suitably interconnected by such means as welding to provide a unitary structure.

Chamber 16 contains the conventional sequence control means 17 which sequentially energizes and de-energizes the various electrical components of the dishwasher. Sequence control means 17 includes a synchronous electric motor 18 which drives a shaft 19. Shaft 19 carries a circular gear 20 having a plurality of teeth 21 about its periphery. Teeth 21 mesh with teeth 22 on gear 23. Gear 23 is carried by a shaft 24 which, in turn, is supported from intermediate wall 15 by a bearing 25. A manuallyoperable knob 26 is also secured to shaft 24 whereby the operator of the dishwasher may rotate knob 26 to adjust sequence control means 17, through gears 22 and 23, to initiate operation of the dishwasher or to modify the operational cycle thereof.

With the exception of the specific configuration and function of gear 20, which is to be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the foregoing combination of elements is substantially conventional in nature. That is, virtually all dishwashers are provided with a sequence control means and a manually-operable knob, interconnected to the sequence control means either directly or through a gearing arrangement such as that shown. Because of this, the foregoing elements, with the exception of the gear 20,

do not form an integral part of the present invention and may be modified considerably without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. These elements have been described in some detail, however, inasmuch as such description will contribute to a clear understanding of the structure and operation of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, dispensing means are provided to dispense treating agent into the wash chamber adjacent the door in response to the control of sequence control means 17. The dispensing means 27 includes a housing 28 having two compartments 29 and 30. Compartment 29 has a large opening 31 opening into the wash chamber of the dishwasher. Compartment 29 is adapted to receive a cup-like container 32. Container 32 is secured to a shaft 33 to rotate therewith. A bafile 34 is provided at one side of container 32 to prevent wash fluid from entering compartment 29, and container 32, when container 32 is in the position illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Container 32 is adapted to receive and contain, and subsequently dispense, a granular treating agent such as a dishwasher detergent. Since housing 27 is carried by door 10, cup-like container 32 faces upwardly when door 10 is in its substantially horizontal open position. Thus, granular detergent can be conveniently poured into container 32 when container 32 is in the position of either FIGURE 2 or FIGURE 4. Once filled with detergent, container 32 is manually moved to the position of FIG- URE 2 and door 10 is closed. When in this condition, dispensing means 27 is cocked and ready for release in response to sequence control means 17.

Shaft 33 extends into chamber 13 and has connected thereto a pair of arms 35 and 36 which come together at an enlarged portion 37. Portion 37 is rigidly secured to shaft 33 and a spring 38 extends between a tab 38a bent out from wall 12 and a portion 37 to urge arms 35 and 36, shaft 33 and container 32 toward the position of FIGURE 4.

Arm 35 has a projection 39 at its distal end which is adapted to cooperate with a latch in the form of an annular surface 40 on gear 20. Engagement between projection 39 and surface 40 overcomes the bias of spring 38 and retains container 32 in the position of FIGURE 2. As gear 20 rotates, in response to electric motor 18 of sequence control means 17, a gap 41 in surface 40 releases arm 35, allowing container 32 to pivot at least partially out of compartment 29 through opening 31. A second latch 42, which may be formed integrally with gear 20 as shown in the drawings to rotate with shaft 19, moves into the position of FIGURE 3 as gap 41 causes release of arm 35 so that arm 36 pivots into engagement with latch 42, thus creating the condition illustrated in FIGURE 3. As container 32 moves into the position of FIGURE 3, the granular detergent contained therein is free to fall into the wash chamber of the dishwasher with the movement of wash fluid within the dishwasher assisting in washing the detergent from the container 32.

Compartment 30 of housing 28 comprises a reservoir for a liquid treating agent such as, for example, a rinse aid in the form of a wetting agent conventionally added to the water of the final rinse to minimize water spotting of the dishes being washed. A fill opening 43 is provided so that the supply of rinse aid in compartment 30 may be replenished and a removable cap (not shown) may be provided to prevent escape of rinse aid from compartment 30. It is to be noted that when door 10 is in its substantially horizontal open position, opening 43 faces upwardly so that rinse aid may be conveniently poured into compartment 30 therethrough.

A dispensing means is provided to dispense, in desired quantities, rinse aid from compartment 30 into the wash chamber of the dishwasher. The dispensing means comprises a cylinder 44 and a piston 45. Cylinder 44 defines a measuring chamber 46 of substantially equal diameter with piston 45 so that a relatively snug fit is achieved therebetween. As piston 45 moves into chamber 46, fluid within chamber 46 will be forced out through an outlet passageway 47. Outlet passageway 47 communicates with the wash chamber of the dishwasher, A rod 48 is connected at one of its ends to piston 45 and, at its other end, to a crank 49. Rod 48 passes through a bearing 50 which supports the rod 48 but allows it to slide axially relative thereto. Crank 49 is pivotal about a shaft 51 and its distal end is adapted to engage container 32. When the dispensing means of the present invention is in either of the conditions illustrated in FIGURE 2 or 3, crank 49 is received within a slot 52 in the outer surface of container 32. When in the condition of FIGURE 4, crank 49 rests against the outer surface of container 32 as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

When latch 42 rotates from the condition of FIGURE 3 to the condition of FIGURE 4, in response to motor 18, arm 36 is released and container 32 moves to the position of FIGURE 4. Container 32 is stopped in that position and held there by engagement between arm 35 and a stop 53 projecting into chamber 13 from wall 12. As container 32 pivots to the position of FIGURE 4, crank 49 pivots about shaft 51 thus allowing a spring 54 to move piston 45 into chamber 46. Spring 54 is sandwiched between one end of bearing 50 and a collar 55 rigidly secured to rod 48. A seal 55a is provided in bearing 50 to prevent leakage of rinse aid from compartment 30 along rod 48.

As can be seen best in FIGURE 1, a bevelled surface 56 is provided adjacent annular surface 40 to cam projection 39 out beyond surface 40 and into engaging relationship with surface 40 as container 32 is manually returned to the position of FIGURES l and 2. In the preferred form of the present invention arms 35 and 36 would be formed from a plastic material providing the necessary resiliency to allow arm 35 to flex sufiiciently for return over surface 56. Also, an opening 57 is provided in housing 28 to drain back into the wash chamber any liquid which may find its way into compartment 29 while container 32 is in either the position of FIGURE 3 or the position of FIGURE 4.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides an improved treating agent dispensing means for an automatic washing machine which sequentially dispenses granular and liquid treating agents into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine. Particular advantages of the present invention include utilization of a single latching means or control means to control both the granular dispenser and the liquid dispenser thus achieving an obvious economical advantage as well as desirable simplification of the mechanism.

The latch means, surface 40 and latch 42, may be modified to lengthen or shorten the time interval between release of arm 35 and release of arm 36. For example, a surface similar to surface 40 could be provided on the opposite face of gear 20 with arm 36 being offset from arm 35 to engage such surface. Arm 36 could be retained in engagement therewith for a time interval equivalent to, for example, rotation of shaft 19 rather than the approximately 45 rotation illustrated in the drawings thus increasing the time interval approximately four-fold.

As will be evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the particular details of construction of the example illustrated, and it is contemplated that various other modifications or applications will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the appended claims shall cover such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A dispenser to sequentially dispense granular and liquid treating agents into the wash chamber of an auto matic washing machine comprising:

(a) a container adapted to receive, contain and dispense a granular treating agent,

(b) means to move said container from a containing position to a dispensing position and subsequently to a third position,

(0) a reservoir adapted to receive and store a liquid treating agent,

(d) dispensing means to dispense said liquid treating agent from said reservoir,

(c) said dispensing means comprising a cylinder having an inlet opening into said reservoir and a piston adapted to enter said cylinder to force liquid treating agent therefrom into the Wash chamber, and

(f) means interconnecting said dispensing means and said container to actuate said dispensing means upon movement of said container from said dispensing position to said third position.

2. A dispenser to sequentially dispense granular and liquid treating agents into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising:

(a) a container adapted to receive, contain and dispense a granular treating agent,

(b) means to move said container from 21 containing position to a dispensing position and subsequently to a third position,

(c) a reservoir adapted to receive and store a liquid treating agent,

(d) dispensing means to dispense said liquid treating agent from said reservoir,

(e) means interconnecting said dispensing means and said container to actuate said dispensing means upon movement of said container from said dispensing position to said third position, and

(f) means to control the movement of said container comprising:

(i) movable latch means,

(ii) a first arm rigidly secured to said container and adapted to engage said latch means to retain said container in said containing position,

(iii) drive means to move said movable latch means to cause release of said first arm, and

(iv) a second arm rigidly secured to said container and adapted to engage said latch means to retain said container in said dispensing position upon release of said first arm,

(v) said drive means being adapted to further move said latch means to release said second arm whereby said container moves to said third position.

3. A dispenser to dispense granular and liquid treating agents into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising:

(a) a housing having a first compartment and a second compartment,

(b) a container adapted to contain a granular treating agent,

(c) means to move said container from a first position within said first compartment to a second position at least partially outside said first compartment and subsequently to a third position beyond said second position,

(d) said container dispensing said granular treating agent when in said second position,

(e) said second compartment comprising a reservoir to contain and store a liquid treating agent,

(i) dispensing means within said second compartment to dispense said treating agent therefrom,

(g) means interconnecting said dispensing means and said container to actuate said dispensing means upon movement of said container from said second position to said third position, and

(h) means to control the movement of said container comprising:

(i) a first movable latch,

(ii) a second movable latch,

(iii) a first arm rigidly secured to said container and adapted to engage said first latch to retain said container in said first position,

(iv) movement of said first latch causing release of said first arm, and

(-v) a second arm rigidly secured to said container and adapted to engage said second latch to retain said container in said second position after said first latch releases said first arm,

(vi) movement of said second latch causing release of said second arm to allow said container to move said third position.

4. A dispenser to dispense granular and liquid treating agents into the wash chamber of an automatic washing machine comprising:

(a) a housing having a first compartment and a second compartment,

(b) a container adapted to contain a granular treating agent,

(c) means to move said container from a first position within said first compartment to a second position at least partially outside said first compartment and subsequently to a third position beyond said second position,

(d) said container dispensing said granular treating agent when in said second position,

(e) said second compartment comprising a reservoir to contain and store a liquid treating agent,

(f) dispensing means within said second compartment to dispense said treating agent therefrom,

(g) said dispensing means within said second compartment comprising a cylinder having an inlet opening into said reservoir and a piston adapted to enter said cylinder to force liquid treating agent therefrom into the wash chamber, and

(h) means interconnecting said dispensing means and said container to actuate said dispensing means upon movement of said container from said second position to said third position.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein said means to move said container comprises a spring energized by manual movement of said container to said first position.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein said means interconnecting said dispensing means and said container comprises a rod having one end connected to said piston and its other end connected to one end of a pivotal crank, the other end of said crank being adapted to engage said container, and a spring urging said piston toward said cylinder, the engagement of said crank with said container preventing said piston from moving toward said cylinder until said container moves to said third position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,125,259 3/1964 Kendt 222--70 3,198,387 8/1965 Kendt et a1 22270 3,212,675 10/1965 Krzewina 222-70 3,220,607 11/1965 Seal 222-70 X ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

